On 3 and 4 December, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar travelled to Gelephu, where His Majesty spent two days meeting the first and second cohorts of Pelsups, as well as the teams working across the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project. The visit highlighted both the progress of the national youth initiative and the rapid developments taking shape in the southern region.

Audience with the First Cohort of Pelsups

His Majesty met the first cohort of Pelsups, who are now in the second phase of their three-month Pelsung Programme. Having completed their DeSuung Training last month, the group has moved into the innovation and immersion phase, where they engage directly with GMC projects and explore practical applications of their training. During the day, His Majesty also visited Sarpang Dzong and inspected ongoing work at the upcoming Gelephu International Airport.

Meeting with the Second Cohort and GMC Teams

His Majesty granted an Audience to the second cohort of 350 Pelsups. This group is currently undertaking the DeSuung Training—the foundational first phase of the Pelsung Programme—and will mark their Passing Out Parade on 5 December. His Majesty also met with the various GMC teams who are contributing to the different components of the ambitious national project.

Pelsung: Building the Next Generation of Bhutanese Leaders

The Pelsung Programme is the flagship youth initiative under GMC, created to nurture a disciplined, capable, and future-ready generation. His Majesty has emphasised that the programme is designed to empower young people, reinforce unity and harmony, and ensure that Bhutanese themselves remain the custodians of the nation’s long-term vision. In a country where every citizen plays a vital role, Pelsung aims to equip youth with the skills, mindset, and values needed to lead Bhutan confidently into the future.